Distribution of electric currents



(N6 Model.)

E. THOMSON. DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC OURRENTS.

No. 602,963. Patented Apr. 26, 1898.

UNITED STATES ATnNT Curios.

ELIHU THOMSON, OF LYNN, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO THE THOMSON- HOUSTON ELECTRIC COMPANY, OF CONNECTICUT.

DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC @URRENTS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 602,963, dated April 26, 1898.

Application filed December 6, 1886. Renewed February 26, 1898. Serial No. 671,865. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, ELIHU THOMSON, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Lynn, in the county of Essex and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Distribution of Electric Currents, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to those systems of electric distribution in which the translating :0 devicessuch, for instance, as incandescent lamps placed on local circuits independent of the circuit for the prime electrical sourceare fed or operated by induced currents set up by induction apparatus placed between such local circuit and the main or principal circuit leading from a source of electric currents at a distance.

My invention is designed more particularly for application to that class of such systems in which the current source supplies a vibratory, pulsatory, or rapidly-varying current of any kind which by its variations on the main circuit shall induce on the local circuit or circuits the currents for operating the 2 5 lamps or other devices. I prefer to employ as the rapidly-varyin g current on the supplymain an alternating current-that is, one whose elementary portions are first of one and then of the other polarityand by preference I use as the generator of such currents what is known as an alternating-current dynamo.

My invention is designed more particularly in some of its features for application to those 3 5 systems in which the devices in the local or separate circuits are supplied in multiple arc and the various induction apparatus are con nected to the main in multiple are.

As the means for transforming the vibra- 0 tory current of the main currents on the 10- cal by induction I have herein shown an ordinary induction-coil; but any transformer working by induction could be used in its place.

The object is to provide means of adjustment of the power of the primary coil of the induction-coil without loss of energy to suit the potential at different points of the main line or to suit the lamps used on the second ary local lines.

The invention consists in the construction,

combination, and arrangement of parts hereinafter fully set forth.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 shows a diagram of a system of electric distribution in which my invention is embodied, an adjusting-coil being shown in the primary circuit independent of the primary coil of the transformer. Figs. 2 and 3 show a modification in the manner of adjustment of the primary coil.

In Fig. 1, A represents an alternating-current generator suitably placed to supply the mains M M with alternating impulses of electrio current. At various points along the line of the mains induction-coils or trans formers C may be connected. The said coils maybe wound on a circular core, a fine-wire coil, for example, constituting the primary and connected by its terminals with the mains M M, and a coarser-wire coil constituting the secondary and connected to the wires leading to the incandescent lamps L or other devices placed, for instance, in multiple.

In the circuit of the primary wires from the mains M M to the induction-coil or transformer I introduce a self-inductive coil 1 divided into sections which permanently surround the core D, and provide a switch-arm a, whereby one or more of such sections of coil may be included in the primary circuit. Should the force ofthe mains be too high, an addition of one or more sections of l is made by moving arm a to the proper point.

T 0 provide for the case of an undue current passing through the primary branch or branches, which will occur if a short circuit of the secondary, either within its coils or upon the local lamp-line, takes place, or upon a short circuit of the primary coil itself 00- o curring, I provide a fuse F, which will melt with excess of current, it being connected into the circuit of the primary coils.

The adjusting device of Fig. 1 is only applicable when the load or number of lights at L 9 is constant and will not, when an adjustment has been given, suffiee when such number is diminished without requiring a new adjustment. This is owing to the fact that the volume of current passing from the mains M M through each primary branch will vary nearly in proportion to the lights used at L, and the reaction of 1 will be greater as the current in it is increased, whereas it should remain the same or it should be given a greater reactive effect as the load or current is diminished. In such cases it is best to vary the primary of the induction-coil itself, Figs. 2 and 3, by providing a switch S, which shall make contact with pieces connected to sections of the primary coil P, so that the sections in circuit may be increased or diminished at will. An adjustment being given, so as to secure with M M at a given potential the requisite electromotive force in the secondary, no change need be made during changes of the number of lights used in the secondary circuit.

It will be noticed that in each form of adjustment device the reaction is varied without short-circuiting the coils in which the reaction is set up.

I do not claim the application of fuses or cut-out devices F in the manner hereinbefore described, as this forms the subject of an application for patent filed as a division of the present application on the 26th day of July, 1890.

W hat I claim as my invention is 1. The combination of a main or principal circuit carrying rapidly-varying electric currents derived from any desired source, induction-coils each having a continuous or closed magnetic circuit or core and whose primaries are connected to the main in multiple arc, translating devices connected in multiple arc to the secondary circuit, self-induction coils placed in the multiple-arc branches leading to the primaries of the induction-coils, and means for varying the number of coils in which the reaction is set up without short-circuiting them.

2. The combination of the main or principal circuit supplied with rapidly-varying currents, the local or independent circuits, induction apparatus having a continuous or closed magnetic circuit of iron placed between said main and local circuits and connected to the main in multiple-arc branches, self-inductive coils located in the multiple-arc connections to the induction apparatus, and means for varying the number of coils in which the reaction is set up without shortcircuiting them.

The combination with the main or principal circuit supplied with rapidly-Varying electric currents, of a local or independent circuit, an induction apparatus placed between the mains and the local or independent circuit, reaction-coils in the primary circuit of said apparatus, and means for varying the number of coils in which the reaction is set up without short-circuiting them.

Signed at Lynn, in the county of Essex and State of Massachusetts, this 1st day of December, A. D. 1886.

ELIHU THOMSON. lVitnesses:

.J. W. GIBBONEY,

E. WILBUR RICE, Jr. 

